Amity - Seattle

We had a pleasant morning ride with Amity, and spent two consecutive nights in the same camp grounds. During our morning ride, she explained that she's excited about biking to upstate New York to visit her parents and her family home before they move. She would like God's guidance for her future as a chaplain, either in a hospital or a prison, for which she's studying for an MDiv. She said she also needs guidance about whether to move, since the cost of living is so high in Seattle.

Genevieve - Harlem and Cut Bank, MT

Genevieve was our generous Warm Showers host in Cut Bank, Montana. We had a fascinating discussion about Native American tribes, as both of her parents are members of two tribes, the Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) and the Nakoda (Assiniboine). Genevieve grew up on the Fort Belknap Agency reservation , which we biked through yesterday.  She said life on the reservation growing up was a totally normal childhood, with the addition of native language classes. She said that all of her friends who wanted to attended college and earned degrees.  Genevieve's daughter, Chloe (age 13), was away at Bible camp so we used her room. She currently lives with her father in another town, as her parents are separated or divorced.  I was led to leave Chloe the tract, "The Father's Love Letter", with Genevieve's permission. Please join me in praying for Chloe and Genevieve, that their hearts would truly know the Father's love. Also pray for the native peoples here in Montana to be awakened to faith in Jesus. As we've ridden through each of the reservations in Washington and Montana, I've been praying and proclaiming an awakening of the "Sleeping Giant" of our land, the native peoples, and that this fire of awakening would spread from West to East. 

Mike - Colville, WA

We met Jerry (left) and Mike (right) at dinner at the Bacon's home. Before the meal, we had a long conversation with Mike, who told us of his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam and the fallout from that which he's still experiencing, such as PTSD. He mentioned many other physical issues which caused him to retire early from his profession as a nurse. We didn't have a chance to pray with him that evening, but the next day as we were biking, a car passed us and the driver waved and stopped. It turns out it was Mike and Jerry, who were on their way to eat at a local restaurant.  Again, I had no chance to pray with him, so I asked the Lord that they'd still be at the restaurant when we got there for lunch. They were still there and I offered to pray for Mike for healing. He didn't want me to pray and when Ron asked him what to pray for, he said he wanted prayer to know what God's will was for him. He also shared that he had never really experienced love as a child and he had embraced his ill health and had peace about it. I prayed for a revelation of the Father's love to his heart. Please join me in praying for his healing and receiving the Father's love.

Duane - Wisconsin

Another biker we've repeatedly met up with is a very personable young man named Duane, a 23 year old who recently quit his job in Wisconsin and is biking across the US. Duane is a believer and is seeking God for His will for the next steps he should take and where to live.

Barry and Shelley - Colville, WA

Dr. Barry and Shelley Bacon welcomed us not only into their peaceful bike hostel, but also to a special Sabbath meal in their home which they host every Friday for friends and seekers. As we talked after dinner, Dr. Barry explained how he and his family had served as missionaries in Malawi for four years. Since then, they have done numerous short term medical missions in Africa. Most recently they have sèrved in Somalia. Dr. Barry has a big vision from the Lord to establish numerous family peactice training centers in northern Somalia to help the Somali people care for their own and to spread the Gospel. Please pray that God would provide His great grace to fulfill this great vision.

Denny - California

Denny joined us for a day and a half of our ride in Montana, staying at the same hostel on a very rainy evening. He shared with us how he retired early to ride the Pacific Crest bike trail five years ago, also intending to help his wife in special ed when he returned. In dealing with a sleep disorder, his wife died very suddenly when she combined two sleep aids prescribed by two different doctors. In the five years since her death, Denny has criss-crossed the country on his bike, riding from dawn to dusk. He seems to be trying to find meaning to his life and is still grieving. Please pray that Denny would come to a living relationship with Jesus. He seemed open as I shared with him about Jesus' supernatural power.

Nick and Spencer - Ohio and Indiana

From our very first day of the ride, we've been repeatedly meeting up with Nick and Spencer (at least five times!) They're two wonderful believers who recently quit their jobs at the Florida State University and are seeking God's will for their futures while biking across the U.S.   Please join us in agreeing with them for clear direction.

Cathy - Washington

Cathy was the woman I met at Colonial Creek Campground in Cascades National Park in Washington. Here's her story from the bike blog:

"Today I (Mary) awoke in the early morning and in my half-sleep state, had three words drop into my mind: mother, cancer, and centurion. Then my mind proceeded to construct a powerful dream in which I met a man at a store and told him that God was going to heal his mother of cancer. All that day in every town we went through, I looked for the shop the man might be in but didn't see it.... The adventure continued as we arrived at the campground abd it had a FULL sign posted. Cathy was the gracious woman who, along with her husband, allowed us to camp in their RV's "back yard". Here's the rest:

 As soon as Ron prayed, the woman we had met, Carter, came running over to us saying, "My parents said you can set up your tent on the camping pad behind their RV." Excitedly, I grabbed my bike and the pedal banged into my ankle, causing a big welt. We met Cathy, the mom, who said to let her know if we needed anything. We were so grateful, especially since they wouldn't take any money for the cozy spot (It turns out that, with a senior discount, they only paid $8 per night - half price). We set up and I gratefully asked the Lord for a way to give back to them.

The welt on my ankle was getting bigger, so I went over to Cathy and asked if I could get a bag of ice to bring the swelling down. She invited me into her spacious RV and immediately shared with me that she was suffering from lymphatic cancer, which was causing terrible swelling and pain in her legs. I told her that I had been asking God for a way to give back to them, and this is what He provided.

 I spoke to her about Jesus and how he intended for all of his followers to do the things that He did, to listen to God and do what He told them to do, including healing the sick. She agreed with me. I gave her examples from my life of how God had healed me and used me to heal others. I was just about to speak healing over her when her 5-year-old granddaughter knocked and came in. After mentioning praying for her grandma, Cathy quickly whispered, "They (the grandchildren) don't know anything about it." That meant I wasn't able to pray aloud for her, so I gave her a goodbye hug and whispered, "Be healed in Jesus' name."

I wasn't able to visit with her or pray with her during our next free day and left wishing I had somehow found a way. I feel the word about the centurion and his servant's healing "from a distance" was an encouragement to me that God would complete her healing even though we were interrupted. Please pray for complete healing of cancer for Cathy.

Sally Jo - Lake Stevens, WA

Sally Jo (left), our friend from Asia Connect in Mongolia, left the mission field to care for her mother (now 94), full time. Please pray for grace and strength for her and continued joy in her service to the Lord in this phase of her life. 

Barb - Everett, WA

As the weeks of our bike adventure have passed, I've been struck by daily, moment-by-moment, beauty - not just the glorious beauty of nature, but the precious beauty of each person we've met.

We'd like to share with you some of their stories and ask you to join us in praying for them.

Barb Smith (in purple) was our first hostess. She and Phil, her husband, have been avid hikers for years. She's dealt with many back problems, but suddenly in January she woke up and could only walk crookedly and had great pain. We prayed for her, that Jesus would completely heal her and that she'll be able to do what she loves - hiking. Please join us in praying for Barb